USB storage device cannot be or can only be partly integrated by the FRITZ!Box

The FRITZ!Box does not integrate a USB storage device or only partly integrates it. In some cases, the "Info" LED on the FRITZ!Box flashes red for about 1 minute after the USB storage device has been connected. One of the following error messages may be displayed in the FRITZ!Box's event log or USB device overview:

"The USB storage medium is not integrated."

"At least one USB drive or parts of it are not integrated."

"Error while mounting the NTFS partition[...]"

"The file system contained on the USB mass storage device is not supported or the device has an invalid partition table."

"The file system contained on the USB storage device is not supported."

"Could not mount an NTFS partition on the USB storage device [name of partition]. Use the 'Safely Remove Hardware' command before disconnecting the USB storage device from a Windows computer."

"Please remove and reconnect."

Cause

The USB storage device is in an undefined state, contains partitions not supported by the FRITZ!Box, or it is incorrectly formatted.

1 Installing the latest FRITZ!OS for the FRITZ!Box

2 Connecting the USB storage device to the computer and safely removing it

A USB storage device may be left in an undefined state if it is removed from a Windows computer without using the "Safely Remove Hardware" function. Therefore, connect your USB storage device to a Windows computer and then remove it safely:

Windows 10

Remove the USB storage device from the FRITZ!Box.

Connect the USB storage device to a Windows computer and wait until Windows detects it.

Click the icon for removing USB hardware in the notification area of the Windows taskbar (Systray).

From the context menu, select the entry "Safely remove USB Mass Storage Device" that corresponds to the USB storage device that was connected to the FRITZ!Box.

The message "Hardware can now be removed" is displayed.

Remove the USB storage device from the computer.

Reconnect the USB storage device to the FRITZ!Box.

Windows 8

Remove the USB storage device from the FRITZ!Box.

Connect the USB storage device to a Windows computer and wait until Windows detects it.

Press the keyboard shortcut Windows key + D.

The Windows desktop opens.

Click the icon for removing USB hardware in the notification area of the Windows taskbar (Systray).

From the context menu, select the entry "Safely remove USB Mass Storage Device" that corresponds to the USB storage device that was connected to the FRITZ!Box.

The message "Hardware can now be removed" is displayed.

Remove the USB storage device from the computer.

Reconnect the USB storage device to the FRITZ!Box.

Windows 7

Remove the USB storage device from the FRITZ!Box.

Connect the USB storage device to a Windows computer and wait until Windows detects it.

Click the icon for removing USB hardware in the notification area of the Windows taskbar (Systray).

From the context menu, select the entry "Safely remove USB Mass Storage Device" that corresponds to the USB storage device that was connected to the FRITZ!Box.

The message "Hardware can now be removed" is displayed.

Remove the USB storage device from the computer.

Reconnect the USB storage device to the FRITZ!Box.

3 USB storage device contains a partition that is not supported

The USB storage device contains at least one partition that cannot be mounted by the FRITZ!Box due to its size or the way it is formatted (for example as a hidden manufacturer's system partition).

The FRITZ!Box supports:

USB storage devices with a maximum of four partitions,

Partitions up to 4 terabytes in size,

The file systems NTFS, FAT/FAT32 and ext2/ext3/ext4.

Workaround

Reformat the USB storage device. Create no more than four partitions; no partition may exceed 4 terabytes in size, and they must all be formatted with the file system NTFS, FAT/FAT32 or ext2/ext3/ext4.

ATTENTION!Before you reformat the USB storage device, back up your data first because all of the data on it will be deleted during the process. The manufacturer can provide you with information on the formatting procedure.